South hit by multiple attacks

The restive South was hit by more than 100 incidents of violence and disruptive acts yesterday, raising serious concerns about security measures.

Published: 01/09/2012 at 12:00 AM

Insurgent activities included the burning of Thai flags and the raising of Malaysian national flags in many areas of four provinces - Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla.

The unrest came on the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence from British rule and the anniversary of the founding of the Bersatu separatist movement.

Suspicious objects were found in many locations; some were fake bombs but most were real explosives.

In Narathiwat, bomb squads took about three hours to defuse them. Six soldiers were wounded in bomb blasts in separate locations in the province.

Malaysian flags were displayed at various locations, along roads, on trees and electricity poles. Tyres were burned and spikes were strewn on roads.

Police also seized dozens of cloth banners with messages ridiculing and challenging authorities. One read: "Welcome, EOD [explosive ordnance disposal]". Another read: "Without GT200 [the controversial bomb detector], what will you rely on?"

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 yesterday played down the incidents.

Isoc Region 4 deputy spokesman Promote Prom-in said a probe indicated a plot had been hatched to cause disturbances and attract media attention.

The torching of Thai flags and hoisting of Malaysian ones were believed to be an effort to undermine the relationship between Thailand and Malaysia, he said.

"But these kind of incidents can't make us turn against each other," Col Promote said. "We have maintained a good relationship at the operational and policy levels."

He said the activities might be intended to discredit Thailand as it prepared to become part of the Asean Economic Community, starting in 2015. But Panitan Wattanayagorn, Chulalongkorn University's political scientist who has expertise in security issues, said the spate of disruptive acts reflected authorities' failure to implement strategies to deal with violence in the South.

"Our security measures in the deep South are lagging behind the insurgents' operations," Mr Panitan said, adding that the army and the government should work closely to come up with new and effective measures.

Mr Panitan proposed that border patrol police officers should be deployed to work with local police as these police officers have been trained specifically for the restive areas and local communities.

Mr Panitan said he agreed with the government's attempt to set up a new command centre in Bangkok to coordinate the work at the Isoc.

"But what I am worried is that the new centre will just cause more red tape," he said.

He added that the Thai government should ask Malaysia to help crack down on all suspected Thai-Muslim people who fled into hiding in Malaysia.

"These are very well-coordinated attacks and it is not easy in a short time to carry out such attacks," Mr Panitan said. "This situation tells us that there are many members of separatist groups in the far South who are actively calling for freedom and autonomy.

"The burning of Thai flags and putting up of Malaysian flags are symbolic acts to show the government that the separatist movement remains intact in the area. They are waiting for the day that they can put up their own flags."

Boonsom Thongsriprai, chairman of the Federation of the Three Southern Border Provinces Teachers, said the activities were intended to demonstrate the strength of the insurgency.

Isara News Agency, focusing on southern violence coverage yesterday, gathered observations from the South about the wave of insurgent incidents, casting doubt on the government's handling of the southern problem.

It pointed out that hoisting flags took time and resources but the militants seemed to have managed to operate without any disruption.

An operation of this scale required the use of vehicles, particularly pickup trucks, to transport men and equipment. These vehicles seemed to simply cruise past the security checkpoints that were said to be located in 66 spots across the region.

The incidents in Yala municipal area suggested a security lapse and called into question a claim that security patrols take place around the clock.

A warning had been issued on Thursday night that attacks might take place to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Bersatu movement yesterday.

The fact that the incidents took place in so many areas indicated the insurgent movement's wide base of support.

The activities also cast doubts on the state's claim about the number of insurgents and sympathisers, which was estimated at 9,000.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered the secretary-general of the National Security Council, Wichean Potephosree, to go to the South to help oversee the situation there.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa, who is in charge of security affairs, said officials in the deep South were checking footage from closed circuit television cameras.

"I don't think these incidents will hurt Thai-Malaysian ties and we're telling Malaysia that the Bersatu is trying to get the Malaysian people involved [in the southern insurgency]," Gen Yutthasak said.

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Discussion 1 : 03/09/2012 at 11:29 PM: The insurgents should work with the authority to settle the difference. The change should be made through the election and the parliament and not on the street or the bomb. Having Thai people as countrymen is a good option. Having the chance to play football, or going to the restaurant is a better option than killing the neigbors.
Discussion 2 : 02/09/2012 at 10:59 PM: dom - "As soon as you meet Southerners you notice the differences between them and the rest of the Thai people, they look very different to Thai people, things like their dress and their food are more Malay than Thai." So should the army treat them differently because they look different? What exactly was the point of that statement? People from every region of Thailand look different. Khmer look different than Thai-Chinese that look different than Thai-Malay that look different than indigenous hilltribe people of the North. Thailand is made up of dozens of ethnic groups, every one looking different than the others.
Discussion 3 : 02/09/2012 at 07:14 PM: dao D18 I agree with the sentiments behind your post but I would point out that Southerners connections with Malays goes beyond religion and geographical location. The people of the south belong to the same racial grouping, "proto-Malay", found in Malaysia as well as Sumatra and the island of Borneo. As soon as you meet Southerners you notice the differences between them and the rest of the Thai people, they look very different to Thai people, things like their dress and their food are more Malay than Thai. Some of them even enjoy smoking clove cigarettes which I reckon is a test of being Malay.
Discussion 4 : 01/09/2012 at 09:58 PM: Like China, India, Philippines and quite a number of countries, THAILAND has it's fair share of insurgent problems arising simply from a Muslim minority's refusal to be under rule of an INFIDEL majority. I'm much surprised that Thailand has not learnt a thing or two from it's southern neighbour's use of sheer military might, force and a system of "collective-punishment"---in part owing to co-operation from Britain before it's decline---to smash the Malayan-chinese led communist insurrection.
Discussion 5 : 01/09/2012 at 09:02 PM: Hard to understand the insurgents. Are they thinking they will be better off under Malaysian rules. They should start working and learn to live with the Thai people.
Discussion 6 : 01/09/2012 at 04:01 PM: Khun Abbub #11, can you tell me which Thai PM who decided to change our proven Deep Southern Strategy by abolishing the once highly effective Military-Police-Civilian Independent Intelligent Agency? Which Thai PM gave the Deep Southern Insurgency the opportunity, and the motive to reestablish and expand its insurgency in the most cruel and deadliest way?
Discussion 7 : 01/09/2012 at 02:06 PM: Just another false flag operation by the drug smuggling gangs. It is neither terrorism nor separatism. The army can go back to sleep.
Discussion 8 : 01/09/2012 at 01:55 PM: Give the 3 provinces back to Malaysia and then Thailand can start insurging them!
Discussion 9 : 01/09/2012 at 01:46 PM: I can understand how some Muslims would feel closer to Malaysia due to religion and geographical location .They must feel ignored by the government except for the heavy military presence which doesn't seem very effective .I think small highly specialized teams in Special Forces could locate the problem and eliminate it .I also think the government owes people in the south an apology for how badly they have handled this ,Tak Bai,and Krue Se Mosque.Killing the south with kindness might produce more results than just letting it kill itself .Do it .Don't just flap your mouth about it .
Discussion 10 : 01/09/2012 at 01:17 PM: Is that officer using the opportunity for a photo opportunity? For what purpose? Proof he went to work? New Facebook profile picture?
Discussion 11 : 01/09/2012 at 11:53 AM: The terrorist groups stir up trouble for everybody in the region and now they are trying to create problems between Thailand and Malaysia. The two countries need to engage in dialogue in order to develop means of securing the border and stopping the terrorist criminals. Malaysia needs to work with Thailand because the terrorists will begin to destabilize that country at some point in the near future.
Discussion 12 : 01/09/2012 at 11:52 AM: The flags represent psychological warfare, a powerful weapon. 'disruptive acts' or acts of civil disobedience? The south is a land of malcontents.
Discussion 13 : 01/09/2012 at 10:45 AM: abbub D11 : You state you have now turned your back on the PT. Pray tell what was 'the last straw' that brought you to this sobering decision?
Discussion 14 : 01/09/2012 at 10:30 AM: Negotiate with these Groups under a third party, grant autonomy along with financials (let's not forget that it was the Thai Rak Thai's decision to withhold resources from the South as a punishment for not voting for them) to ensure viabilty including civic resources for education, health and infrastructure and hold elections under external supervision. The next stage is to do something about the armed forces. As they have failed so miserably in the South then the it needs to accept a lack of fitness and resources to defend the Nation in time of external conflict. The Government can no longer maintain a system of Officers whose positions are based on patrongage.
Discussion 15 : 01/09/2012 at 10:01 AM: Shall we try dropping paper birds again?
Discussion 16 : 01/09/2012 at 09:57 AM: Already we see several comments trying to implicate the current Pheu Thai government as being incapable. While I have now turned my back on the PT it should be clear this situation dates back 100 years and the military is largely responsible for the last decade of escalating tensions. The Malay flags send a clear message? Maybe. It could be bargaining chip. Which is why negotiations are the only answer. The southern provinces have a common history with Malaysia, share the same religion and speak the same language. While the violence on both sides is deplorable, these above facts cannot be brushed aside and willingness to understand this and seek solutions beneficial to everyone is a crucial element. Dialogue has solved problem and diminished, almost done away with violence in similar situations: Basque country. Northern Ireland. Nepal. Now even in Colombia it looks like compromise could lead to something.
Discussion 17 : 01/09/2012 at 09:55 AM: Army have shown their incompetence and their brutality. Thailand needs UN or ASEAN mediation in the South.
Discussion 18 : 01/09/2012 at 09:47 AM: 100 attacks? It can't be true. I read that this government had taken control of this 'situation' and was winning
Discussion 19 : 01/09/2012 at 09:09 AM: As long as you have the army dredging canals and building houses instead of doing what they should be doing the insurgents will win.Last week the excuse was the end of Ramadan.Now it is the 50 anniversary what next Christmas.What are the army using to detect explosives carried on these trucks GTX 400?.The truth is you will never beat terrorism by force, negotiation is the only way.
Discussion 20 : 01/09/2012 at 09:06 AM: This is an ultimate disgrace to Thailand! The useless security forces could allow this to happen. Is this possible if they are vigilant enough?
Discussion 21 : 01/09/2012 at 07:52 AM: The message seems clear without confusion : the insurgents do not want to create a new state, they want the three provinces belong to Malaysia...
Discussion 22 : 01/09/2012 at 07:47 AM: Last week FM Surapong expressed his contenment of one year good relationship with our next-neighbours. Hundreds of Malaysian flags hammered in the southern province : which contract Surapong has passed with Malaysia ??????
Discussion 23 : 01/09/2012 at 07:21 AM: 'Panitan Wattanayagorn, Chulalongkorn University's political scientist who has expertise in security issues, said the spate of disruptive acts reflected authorities' failure to implement strategies to deal with violence in the South.' How right you are!!!!!
Discussion 24 : 01/09/2012 at 06:22 AM: Why wasn't the Army and Police prepared for this day. Did they think it was just another typical day in the south. No wonder Thailand is losing to these terrorist.
Discussion 25 : 01/09/2012 at 05:58 AM: I am still having a hard time comprehending why the BP insists on still calling it "the restive South". It has not been that classification for a number of years. Turmoil and violence have wreaked havoc on the South for many years. Over 4,000-people have died in this insurgency. It is not a "restive" place anymore.
Discussion 26 : 01/09/2012 at 04:30 AM: this regime lack of commitment and a plan of action and concerns, towards their people, sends a message to the southeners people,that they are isolated and unless a plan is put into place,it will push the local people towards these,thugs known to be terrorist,they have already put fear into those already living there,not a easy solution ?

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